Home Stretch Approaches

We've reached the home stretch as I approach the third trimester. Only about 90 days to go. I still can't believe just how quickly this pregnancy has gone to date and I am still feeling really great.

Marg and Don left this week to continue with their travels in Europe; Rich spoke to them yesterday and they are having an amazing time in Prague. We had such a nice visit with them over the past month. It's back to a bit of normalcy for us now. Our road trip was lots of fun and just flew by so quickly. Weezie's already seen and done so much and hasn't even been born yet -- from a carriage ride through Charleston's historic streets, walking tours through the Savannah squares in the sweltering heat and enjoying amazing Southern meals to visiting the White House (and even resting on White House furniture in the Green Room) as well as tours of our nation's monuments and museums - it was a great respite, with lots and lots of walking and we are so glad to have enjoyed it all with our parents (and Kevin in Charleston). Weezie was moving a lot, giving everyone kicks, so I think she enjoyed her time too.

We arrived home to boxes of gifts that were delivered to the house, including the crib, stroller system, mobile and pack and play. We are so grateful and thankful for everyone's generosity. We already have everything we received put together and the nursery is coming together nicely. In typical Rich fashion, while unpacking from the trip he took off the tags on all of the baby clothing we received and bought special baby detergent and has already washed all of her clothes.

We now look forward to our next trip to Dallas for lil' Jake's baptism next weekend. We are both very excited to be his Godparents and look forward to some more family time. Dallas trip will be followed up later this month by a visit by my mom, a shower here in Chicago (thanks Katie B!) and a last minute babymoon to Toronto which Rich has arranged. The fun times continue!

PS- It looks like the poll is tied to date. Out of habit I've continued to refer to our lil girl as Weezie but  happy for others to refer to her as Maisie or Weezie Wee, Weezie May, Maisie Wee, etc.. for the time being.

Vote for Name Change

It has been a few weeks since the last entry. Time has definitely flown bye, like good times tend to do. Kris is still aglow with pregnancy.

We are currently in Hammock Beach, Florida at Bill and Jo's place, it is so relaxing. Don and Marg are with us, along with Jen and Freddie and baby Jacob as well and Lisa and Emily (Kristin's Cousin and her daughter). The baby shower was great fun and we love all of the great, generous gifts we've received for the baby. Tomorrow we take off for the road trip which everyone is looking forward to.

Kristin and I have managed to keep the name secret, after a little bit of probing no one has guessed it yet. However, a small yet powerful movement (lead by Marg and Jo) has formed to change the in utero name from Weezie to Maisie. Personally, I am against this movement however as a compromise it has been decided to put it to a vote.

Sadly, Kristin's Grandmother passed away last week. Nani was 96 years old she had 4 children, 10 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren and counting (not including Weezie). Rest peacefully Nani.

Milestones

Today Rich and I celebrate our third year of wedding bliss- 070707 seems like just yesterday but in retrospect so much has happened since then - moving to Chicago, buying our first place, new jobs, lost jobs, fulfilling a dream of visiting Paris and Rome together, and of course falling pregnant with our lil Weezie- just to name a few.

I know it's been mentioned in previous posts, but since about week 19 I've been able to clearly feel Weezie's movements in utero which is such a cool and exciting new sensation. What makes it even more fun is that as of last week, Rich has also been able to feel a few kicks. We look forward to the coming weeks when we know we'll be feeling her even more as she gets bigger and stronger. The timing of this new milestone is perfect as Rich's parents, Marg and Don, will be arriving from Oz tomorrow for a month-long visit and we head to visit with my family in a week's time. We look forward to spending quality time with everyone and hope Weezie has some kicks to give for everyone to enjoy in the coming weeks. As part of our travels we can't wait for our baby shower in Florida as well as our road trip with both sets of parents from Florida-Savannah-Charleston-DC. We'll be sure to document everything with Rich's new Flip cam, a gift I got him for his birthday.

Weezie stats: Apparently the approximate size of a papaya - 8 inches long; 1.2 lbs. Most active around noon, 4:30pm and 8pm.

Weezie is a GIRL!!!

Kristin and I are happy to announce that we are having a Girl.

Today's ultrasound went extremely well. The Technician and the Doctor were both great, all the necessary checks were done and everything is as it should be, we are thankful parents to be indeed. The very best part was seeing (and then hearing) her heartbeat and then looking on as she waved to us (no, I don't think she meant to).

So, at 20 weeks we are at the halfway point (well Kristin is anyway, I don't really do much come to think of it), and it has really flown by. The second half is sure to go by quickly as well (we hope). We have some travel plans; my folks coming to the US for three weeks starting 8 July and we will be doing an East Coast USA road trip with Kris's parents starting in Palm Coast FL and taking in Savannah, Charleston and Washington DC. We then have our God Son Jacob's baptism in Dallas in mid August. After that we will be settling back home in Chicago to work on the Baby's room and take in the rest of the summer before the craziness really starts.

Thanks so much to all those who have commented and voted. This is heaps of fun for Kristin and I. The name is under wraps until birth, until such time the baby girl is referred to a Weezie.

XY or XX? TBD soon!

Not long to go before we head to our big 20 week appointment on June 22. As mentioned in a previous posting, we switched hospitals and therefore will be meeting with a new doctor for this long-awaited appointment.

It's nearly last call for those of you that haven't cast your vote on what you think lil' Weezie is! Boys at the moment are in the lead although I have a feeling Weezie is a girl. This run of boys being born has to stop at some stage! Either way we're thrilled to find out and hope that Weezie cooperates and there are no issues about finding out during the scheduled appointment. We'll be asking the ultrasound tech to not tell us at the appointment, but rather write it down and put in envelope which we'll open later in the day together. Also hoping to get a DVD of the ultrasound to share w. those interested. Next week is an exciting time, along with the appointment it's also Father's Day here in the U.S. on June 20, Rich is excited that he'll always have two Father's Days as in Oz it's on September 6. It's also Rich's birthday on June 26. So we'll have a bit to celebrate.

We've had a great past few weeks, the Memorial Day weekend trip to Lake Geneva was a welcome get-away but highly unlikely to be anything like the Hampton's as a few Midwesterners claim. The resort we stayed at had it's issues, but we were able to enjoy the pool and get a few good swims in which was nice. Once returning back to Chicago, our good friends Katie and Darrell came for a visit from Florida. We had such a fun time playing tourist and checking out the sites that our great city has to offer as well as catch up with good ol' friends; not to mention, Weezie went to his/her first beer festival in Lincoln Square, Mayfest. Chicago has finally come alive recently owing to some warmer weather, festival season as well as our Blackhawks taking home the Stanley Cup this past Thursday. The vibe in this city has been exciting.

A Baby Bump

Hi Everyone, all is going well.

Kristin is starting to show as you might be able to tell in the photo. She and lil' Weezie are doing great. Aside from the bump, the only sign of pregnancy is that Kristin gets a little more tired throughout the day and that I have started to walk with a limp; see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Couvade_syndrome.

We are both anxiously awaiting the 20 week appointment on June 22.

Recently, we have had a few trips to Babies-R-Us and Target and are slowly becoming well versed in things for lil' Weezie, from changing tables to strollers to car seats to pack&plays, you name it we have probably looked into it in some way. It can be a little daunting, but fun.

Kris is still going to prenatal yoga class once a week and the warmer weather has made it easier to go for some walks, last weekend we went for two bike rides, so we are keeping active. In addition, Kristin has turned her hand to crafting a montage of postcards for lil' Weezie and a few other things for the baby's room.

This memorial weekend we are planning a short trip to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, the Hamptons of the Midwest I am told, for a bit of r&r.

Before finishing up Kris and I would like to give a shoutout to Kristin's Grandmother on her Mother's Side. She has not been feeling very well. She is in her mid-90s. We love you Nan. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

New Sensations

Yesterday marked week 15 and I am still feeling great. I think I've begun to feel the baby moving last night, it was a strange but exciting sensation. It's hard to tell since I have nothing really to compare it to. I've also begun to show a bit more recently and will need to take/post belly pics soon. Last week was great as Weezie took his/her first in utero flight since being conceived, making his/her way to Texas (on Mother's Day) where I got the chance to meet our adorable little nephew Jacob and catch up w. Mom, Dad, Jen and Freddie. Jen and Freddie are doing great in their new role as mom and dad and my folks are loving being new grandparents. I don't think they've settled on names to be called yet, but know that Nana, Nan, Gram were a few thoughts for Mom and Pops, Pop and Grandpa may have been top contenders for Dad. I think at last chat they decided on Nana and Pop. I returned home to Chicago late Wednesday and have had some Jacob withdrawals ever since. Now really can't wait to have our own little one, which I know will be here before we know it. We had an appointment on Thursday and heard lil Weezie's heartbeat once again, no ultrasounds this time but can't wait til our 20 week appointment when we see Weezie again. All is continuing to progress nicely. We recently had tours of a few local hospitals and have decided to move forward w. the newer, more cutting-edge Northwestern Prentice over Illinois Masonic (where my OB Dr. Sodini delivers). I love Dr.Sodini so it was hard letting her know that we'll be moving on but she was great as always and understood completely. After writing this posting I'll need to contact a new OB and book next appointment. Prentice is a new women's facility downtown built in 2007, which looks more like a five-star hotel than hospital. We've had some not so great experiences in the past at Masonic and are confident we are making the right choice.